From the introduction: For twenty nine long years the chaos wars raged. By the time hostilities ceased most of the structure of the seven magocracies had long since dissolved. The lands of Labyrinthia had been laid waste by the cataclysmic supernatural forces that had been unleashed by desperate governments in an attempt to annilate [sic] their opponents. Even the fabric of time and space had suffered as a result of these events such that it is not uncommon for portals to other times and places to temporarily open and close. Out of this chaos and desolation came the unifying force of law. Our blessed Emperor sheltered from the destructive holocaust of conflict, deep within his underground complex was able to emerge and establish peace throughout the land.